DEMENTIA – which includes Alzheimer’s disease – still has no known cure, but new research has revealed marriage could help stave off signs and symptoms.

The study published today in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests tying the knot can lower the risk of developing dementia.

Combining the results of 15 studies, including data on more than 800,000 participants, the new analysis finds that people who remain single are at a 42 per cent greater risk of developing dementia than people who are married.

Widowers were found to be 20 per cent more likely to develop the condition.

There was no difference in the risk of dementia between those who were married and divorced.

The researchers suggest that part of this risk may be explained by poorer physical health among lifelong single people.

Bereavement is likely to boost stress levels, which have been associated with impaired nerve signalling and cognitive abilities.

As these findings are based on observational studies, no firm conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn.

But the researchers suggest that marriage may help both partners to have healthier lifestyles, including exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and smoking and drinking less, all of which have been associated with lower risk of dementia.